Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Just before Christmas I ordered and recieved a copy of the long awaited Knit. Sock. Love. It is a beautiful book. There are some patterns in the book which I have already knitted and the most significant of these is Monkey - the first socks I ever knitted were a pair of Monkeys and before I had turned the first heel (which was a truly magical experience) I knew I was going to knit A LOT more socks (and I was right). The pair of socks above were the result, they were a success, they fit me and I still really enjoy wearing them.

When I was looking through the book, and at various points throughout the following days and weeks, I had an urge to knit another pair, as a nostalgic homage to the beginning of my sock knitting obsession. As a general rule, I don't knit the same pattern twice, too many patterns - not enough knitting time, but the thought of knitting another pair of Monkeys niggled at me and I decided to break my rule (there are no knitting police and all that). I chose yarn, then I changed my mind and chose again, then I thought my new choice was too close to the colour of the original pair so I chose again, wound my yarn (it is The Knitting Goddess 4ply merino nylon in the colour Looks Like December, a club yarn from last year) and took them to New York as a travel friendly project.

This is a lovely pattern, simple enough but interesting enough and I am looking forward to wearing my new pair as much as the old pair

Incidentally, this was not the pattern which made me want to start knitting socks, but that, as they say, is a story for another day.....

Tuesday, 8 February 2011

It was also very, very, very, very COLD! There was about 2 feet of snow on the ground, (not on the roads or pavements, they were completely clear) Central Park was very pretty

I don't fly well and knitting really helps to pass the time so I was hopeful I would be able to take some with me. After extensive research I decided to take 4 inch wooden DPNs, I sailed through security and cast on a pair of Monkeys while I was waiting to board my plane. I soon discovered that I cannot knit with 4 inch needles. The end dug in to my palm no matter how I held them and after a while I gave up and watched films instead. When I visited Knitty City I bought some 7 inch DPNs and a Hiya Hiya wooden circular for magic loop (my prefered method of sock knitting), my plan was to try to take all 3 sets of needles on to the plane, if they said I couldn't have the circ, I would have the 7 inch DPNs, if they said I couldn't have those either I would still have the 4 inch needles to get the sock home on. As it turned out I was over-thinking it and again I got through security with no problems at all.

Knitty City was pretty close to my ideal yarn shop. It was friendly and the staff were welcoming and chatty, there was LOTS of gorgeous yarn, an area for sitting and knitting, lots of samples and swatches, I could have spent hours (and large amounts of money) there but I was accompanied by my very lovely, but very uninterested in knitting, partner so my visit was short but sweet. I bought some sock yarn and the needles I talked about above and I was given a lovely reusable shopping bag to carry my purchases home in.

It was a weekend packed full of sightseeing and shopping, we saw the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Times Square and lots more, we walked over the Brooklyn Bridge (and back)

On Sunday we popped in to Purl Soho, which was also a very lovely yarn shop also carrying some beautiful fabrics, it was busy and I was worn out so I didn't stay long and I didn't buy anything but next time i go to New York I will return there, well rested and ready to shop!